Things to do

Located at the foot of the West Pennine Moors, Chorley is the southern gateway into Lancashire and what a welcome it is! Situated right on the M61, M6 and M65 motorways, Chorley is at the centre of the North West, making it just a short drive to discover a great day out.

Astley Hall, Coach House and Park

Astley Hall is a museum and art gallery housed within a Grade I listed historic house. The Hall is set within the beautiful surroundings of Astley Park which include historic woodland, a lake, a fully renovated Victorian walled garden, playing fields, the Royalists’ Retreat play area, Pets Corner, a sensory garden, bowling greens, putting greens, tennis courts and more. You can also take in an exhibition or research your family history in the Farmhouse and enjoy breakfast, lunch or other refreshments in the refurbished Coach House.

Battlefield LIVE is an authentic combat entertainment experience using military grade infra-red gaming guns. There’s no paintballs or airsoft pellets flying around, so there’s no expensive ammo to buy and absolutely no pain.This is not your average “Laser – Tag” game.

Sprawling across the five floors of Canal Mill in Chorley, Lancashire is a fantastic shopping centre experience that’s not to be missed. Botany Bay is full of the finest brands in clothing, furniture, homeware, gifts and crafts – all at unbelievable prices.

Vintage Shopping for every taste set in the heart of Chorley. From vintage clothing and furniture to collectable artwork and memorabilia from yesteryear – it can all be found at Lancashire’s finest historic shopping and visitor destination.

Welcome to Cedar Farm. Situated just 15 minutes from junction 27 of the M6 and yet nestling in beautiful countryside, Cedar Farm is an inspirational and creative shopping experience. The wonderful array of unique shops, selling contemporary crafts, clothing, home furnishings and mystic gifts is complemented by a group of creative working artists.

Originally opened as Chorley’s first electric cinema in 1910, Chorley Little Theatre has become a thriving arts venue in the centre of the town. Since 1960 it has been owned and operated by the amateur dramatics group CADOS, who have been putting on high-quality productions for over 75 years. CADOS now present at least 6 productions per Season (a Season runs from September until July)

There are two main markets in Chorley. Chorley Covered Market, which makes up the heart of the town and operates five days a week and Chorley’s Tuesday market, which is now located along the streets of Chorley town centre. The Tuesday market sees everyone’s favourite stalls lining Fazakerley Street, Chapel Street, New Market Street, Cleveland Street and the bottom half of High Street every Tuesday. Traditionally, this market was held on the Flat Iron (sometimes known locally as the ‘Cattle Market’), however, in July 2017, the market moved to the streets to make way for the extension to Market Walk shopping centre.

Cuerden Valley Park is the ideal place for a traditional, cheap family day out. All for the price of a £1 ticket for the car park you can; have a picnic on the benches provided, walk the dog, let the children play in the river, explore the Pinetum, visit the Walled Orchard, experience the many valley and woodland walks or enjoy any of the various events which we hold on the Park throughout the year.

Ellerbeck Narrowboats offers self-steer canal boat hire along the Leeds and Liverpool canal. With no experience or license necessary, you could be boating through the beautiful countryside at a time that suits you. Families, parties, work and club outings all welcome.

Whether you require much needed practice, lessons to ease that annoying slice or work on your bunker shots, Euxton Park is at your service. The 20 acre complex, located between Leyland and Chorley in Lancashire offers floodlit driving range, professional tuition with video analysis and more. plus the newly opened 12 hole FootGolf couse. The UK’s fastest growing sport, it combines football with golf in a fun, friendly yet surprisingly competitive way.

Everything we do is centred on producing the finest quality ice cream, an aim perfected over four generations of the same Federici family. So, for the freshest ideas from the country’s favourite ice cream family, take a look around the site and see the quality for yourself (even better still, come visit us to taste the difference)!

Voted Best Tourism Experience at Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards 2011 and nominated in the Visit Lancashire for Small Visitor Attraction in 2014. It’s got to be one of Lancashire’s best days out and that’s not just us saying that (check out our feedback!). With breathtaking scenery, amazing tree top obstacles and awesome zip lines, Rivington is sure to be a day out in Lancashire you won’t forget.

With over 40 unique shops and businesses including a leading art gallery, high class butchers, florist and plant centre, craft studios, food shops, ladies and gents clothing, gifts with a difference, handbags and jewellery, hair and beauty, Fredericks Ice Cream, the Crafty Potter Craft Cafe and the Two Birds Tea Room, Heskin Farmers Market and Craft Centre is the perfect destination for a relaxed shopping experience with a difference. Surrounded by beautiful Lancashire countryside, make sure you also check out their regular activities and events for all the family.

An intriguing mix of Historic House, Event & Wedding Venue and Shopping Experience, Heskin Hall has wide spectrum appeal. Heskin Hall is one of the best examples of Tudor Architecture in the North West of England. Set in 8 acres of grounds and surrounded by over 300 acres of farmland it boasts panelled rooms, baronial fireplaces, a priest hole and studded oak doors.

Steeped in history and commanding breathtaking views across Lancashire, Hoghton Tower offers something for everyone at all times of year. Plan your fairytale wedding, take a tour round the house, wander through the gardens, sample local produce at the Farmers’ Market, or just call in for coffee and cake to soak up some history!

Linking the cosmopolitan cities of Liverpool and Leeds, the Leeds & Liverpool Canal is the longest canal in Britain built as a single waterway. With rural walks, noteworthy heritage and peaceful boating, its 127 mile length has a lot to offer. But without the efforts of waterway enthusiasts in the middle of the last century we may have lost it altogether.

If you’re looking for a great track to ride your back on, Mid Lancs BMX Club provides a fun, friendly atmosphere for all the family. The Mid Lancs BMX track is built in a quarry on Blackburn Road and the independently-run club ensures everyone has a great, safe time, whether you’re a novice or a pro. The track is open to the general public and can be ridden at any time during the year. Bring your own bike or hire a bike and all the safety equipment needed from the club.

As a destination to suit all the family Rivington is hard to beat. While the more energetic set out to explore the terrace gardens of Lord Leverhulme’s estate, senior members of the family are free to potter about the Great Barn or wander at their own pace in Lever Park.

Rivington Pike is a hill summit on Winter Hill, part of the West Pennine Moors, overlooking the village of Rivington in Lancashire, England. The nearest towns are Chorley and Horwich. The Pike is a prominent local landmark which derives its name from the Old English hreof plus ing meaning the rough or rugged hill and pic, a pointed eminence.

Rock and River are Outdoor Pursuits specialists. We have been running adventurous outdoor activities since 1996. Our main site is at Cliff’s Farm Activity Centre on a 180 acre farm in Mawdesley, near Ormskirk. We run outdoor activities for schools, colleges, youth and corporate groups and scouts and guides.

Water-based and land-based outdoor learning and activities for school day trips and youth group residentials in Rivington (Lancashire’s mini Lake District) with fully catered conferencing facilities and nationally accredited outdoor courses.

Situated in Adlington, Lancashire, we are the largest marina on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. Linked to over 2000 miles of inland waterways and just up from the mighty Wigan Flight, White Bear Marina is a popular destination for boaters and offers long term, short stay and residential moorings.

Chorley’s increasingly popular Yarrow Valley Country Park is a 700-acre facility, run by us, including a visitor centre built using Heritage Lottery funds. Yarrow Valley Country Park has been awarded Green Flag status for the fifth year in a row!